During Naema’s tenure, the board made significant strides in fiscal responsibility.
The school board paid off all district loans, resulting in direct tax savings for homeowners. They also eliminated student enrollment fees and covered the cost of Advanced Placement (AP) tests for students, ensuring that financial barriers did not prevent them from pursuing rigorous academic opportunities. These decisions not only saved families money but also underscored her commitment to removing financial barriers to education.
As part of her belief that it takes a village to support a community, the board also approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Niles Township Government to provide funding for families facing rent insecurity.
This initiative began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today because the community recognizes that rent and food insecurities did not end with COVID. This program reflects a commitment to addressing the broader needs of our community and ensuring that no family is left behind.
Serving as board president during the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most challenging experiences of Naema Abraham’s career.
It was a time of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges, but she and her team navigated it together with resilience and a focus on the well-being of District 219 students, staff, and community.
Naema Abraham was honored to help launch the AVID program at District 219.
This program addresses the needs of first-generation college-bound students by equipping them with the skills and support to succeed in higher education. To further enhance educational opportunities, her team expanded dual credit classes, making college more affordable and accessible for our students. For those pursuing vocational paths, Naema’s team approved a career-ready curriculum, ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed after high school.
During Naema Abraham’s presidency on the school board from 2021 to 2023, her team accomplished something unprecedented in the state of Illinois: the endorsement of the Assyrian language as an accredited foreign language class.
As an Assyrian herself, this achievement was deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. Without an Assyrian presence on the board, this initiative might never have come to fruition. The administration, supported by the foreign language department, worked tirelessly to develop and present the curriculum, which was ultimately endorsed at the state level. This milestone was the direct result of an ask from Assyrian parents and students, demonstrating the power of representation and community-driven advocacy.
